Burnaby RCMP tackle graffiti offenders
Three adults and one young offender were arrested in a recent four-day, anti-graffiti operation carried out by the Burnaby and Coquitlam RCMP, and CN Police.
The adults are facing charges of damaging property, while the youth has been referred to a restorative justice program. In addition, police arrested a woman for another graffiti-related offence at the Metropolis at Metrotown mall.
In 2009, Burnaby RCMP and the city started a joint task force in response to public concern over graffiti. Since its formation, there has been an 80 per cent decrease in graffiti vandalism, say Burnaby RCMP.
"The broken window theory applies here," said Const. Shelby Murphy, the RCMP anti-graffiti coordinator in a press release. "Studies show that more crim occurs in areas which are allowed to remain in a state of disrepair and when an area is cleaned up people take more pride in their community. I encourage citizens to band together and take back their community by removing graffiti as soon as it appears and to report all occurrences to police. When graffiti is removed immediately, it is less likely to reoccur as it is the intention of the vandal to be recognized within the graffiti subculture."
The city and police are looking for partners to assist them in removing graffiti. For more information go to www.burnaby.ca.
ggranger@burnabynewsleader.com
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